Wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus comprises a frame having a plurality of transverse divider members and a median member secured to said transverse divider members and disposed laterally with respect to said frame thereby forming a plurality of compartments. A stub-shaft is fixedly mounted on each side of the median member within each of the compartments. Each of the stub-shafts is disposed in coaxial alignment with another stubshaft which is fixedly mounted against undesired rotational movement and secured to the frame, while the other stub-shaft is capable of axial movement. A wire spool is disposed between coaxial pairs of the stub-shafts with the axially movable stubshaft exerting a frictional force on the ends of the wire spool to retard reverse rotational movement thereof, and wire guide members are secured to the frame associated with each of the wire spools with the ends of the wire extending through the guide members to locate the ends at a predetermined position with respect to the frame.

United States Patent n91v De Luca et a].

[ Nov. 13, 1973 [75] Inventors: Paul V. De Luca, Port Washington;

Gustav Drews, Rocky Point, both of [73] Assignee: Porta Systems Corp., Roslyn, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 214,803

[52] US. Cl 242/129.8, 24/115 G, 242/l25.1,

[51] Int. Cl B65h 49/00 [58] Field of Search 242/553, 129.51,

242/129.8, 137.1, 125.1, 125.3,149, 157; 254/190, 198; 24/115 R, 115 G; 206/52 W,

2,425,836 8/1947 2,5 24,649 10/1950 2,457,195 12/1948 Bagnal1,.1r. 241115 G Crotts 242755.3-

Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney-Philip D. Amins 57 ABSTRACT A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus comprises a frame having a plurality of transverse divider members and a median member secured to said transverse divider members and disposed laterally with respect to said frame thereby forming a plurality of compartments. A stub-shaft is fixedly mounted on each side of the median member within each of the compartments. Each of the stub-shafts is disposed in coaxial alignment with another stub-shaft which is fixedly mounted against undesired rotational movement and secured to the frame, while the other stub-shaft is capable of axial movement. A wire spool is disposed between coaxial pairs of the stub-shafts with the axially movable stub-shaft exerting a frictional force on the ends of the wire spool to retard reverse rotational movement thereof, and wire guide members are secured to the frame associated with each of the wire spools with ,the ends of the wire extending through the guide members to locate the ends at a predetermined position with respect to the frame.

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 1 3 I975 SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEUNUY 13 I975 3771. 743

SHEET 2 BF 2 2 k6 Flaa WIRE SPOOL HOLDING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus, and, more particularly, to such an apparatus mounted upon a ladder for use in conjunction with the wiring of central telephone offices.

In many wiring applications a plurality of wires of various gage, number of conductors and colors must be employed to complete a wiring application. In these wiring applications which are repetitive there are employed a plurality of wire spools which comprise various types of reel of wire wound upon the spool or bobbin. When a length of wire is pulled from the reel and cut therefrom, the reel has a memory which tends to cause the wire to become rewound and makes it difficult to locate the end of the reel of wire upon the next wiring application. This presents a frustrating situation to the workman performing the wiring application in addition to consuming an inordinate amount oftime which is unproductive to continuously locate the ends of the wire reels. Moreover, in many wiring applications such as those which are existant in central telephone offices, it is necessary to repeat the applications over a substantial area which is both vertically and horizontally extensive.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus to permit the dispensing or paying out of wire when desired and for preventing undesired wire rewind after the initialpay out thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the foregoing type which includes a frame adapted to accomodate a plurality of wire spools. n

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus of the foregoing type wherein theframeincludes means for maintaining the 'end of the wire ofa reelat a predetermined position with respe'ctfto the spool upon which the wire reel is wound.

It is yet a further object of provide an apparatus of the foregoing type in conjunction with a ladder wherebyv a workman'on the ladder may perform continuous wiring applications without requiring him to ascend and descend the ladder and to the frame and being axially movable to initially allow the mounting of the wire spools and thereafter applying a frictional biasingto the ends of the wire spools to prevent reverse rotational movement of the wire spools. The stub-shafts including collars disposed in abutting engagementwith the ends of the spools and the other of said stub-shafts being spring biased to urge the collars into frictional engagement with the ends of said spools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description hereinafter considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and in combination with a ladder;

FIG. 2'is a plan view of the wire holding and dispensing apparatus having a capacity for six wire spools;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2;

' FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the axially movable stub-shaft assembly for frictional engagement with the end of a wire spool; v

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on .the line 55 of FIG. 3 and depicting a pair of coaxial stub-shafts having a wire spool mounted, therebetween; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 depicting the wire end positioning and holding device of the present invention.

the present invention-to v without fumbling for the ends of the required wire on the spools.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the foregoing type which is highly reliable, has simplicity of construction'and which is economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects of the invention are achieved by providing an open frame compartmentalized structure wherein pairs of coaxially aligned stub-shafts are disposed within each compartment with wire spools being mounted between said coaxial pairs of stub-shafts. One of each of the pairs of stub-shafts being fixedly mounted to a median member of the frame and the other of each of said pairs of stub-shafts being mounted A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus is provided with six indi vidual wire spools which are generally denoted by the reference numeral 18. The apparatus 10 comprises an open frame 20 which is of substantially rectangular configuration and which includes side rails 22, end

plates 24, transverse divider members 26 and a laterally extending median member 28 secured to'the divider members 26. The members 26 and 28 divide the frame 20 into six substantially-equisized open compartments 30. One of the spools 18 is mounted in each of the compartments 30 in the-following manner.

A stub-shaft 32 is fixedly mounted on each side of the I median member 28 and is di'spQsed in coaxial alignment with another stub-shaft 34 which is axially movable, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

The spools 18 comprise spindles 36 having end plates or flanges 38 formed integrally therewith. The hollow body portion 36 defines an internal bore 40 whose diameter is slightly larger than that of the diameters of the stub-shafts 32 and 34v which are of equal diameter, so as to permit rotational movement of the spool 18 on theshafts 32 and 34. The wire conductors 42 which are normally insulated and color coded are wound upon the body portion 36 and maintained in position thereon by the end plates 38. The stub-shafts 32 and 34 have collars 44 and 46, respectively, connected thereto which collars are disposed in abutting frictional engagement with the spool end plates 38 in the following manner.

The stub-shaft 34 is disposed at the inner end of a sleeve 48 which is positionally located by means of a bearing 50 which is in turn positionally secured to the side rail 22. The sleeve 48 is biased inwardly by means of a helical coil spring 52 and, thus, urges the collar 46 into frictional engagement with one of the spool end plates 38 and urges the other of the spool end plates into frictional engagement with the collar 44 secured to stub-shaft 32. When it is desired to replace a wire spool 18, the knob 54 secured to the outer end of sleeve 48 is grasped and pulled outwardly causing the spring 52 to be compressed and causing the stub-shaft 34 to move outwardly from the bore 40.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the sleeve 48 is formed integrally with the collar 46 and stub-shaft 34 at the outer end portion thereof. The inner end portion of sleeve 38 is trifurcated and defines three equispaced arms or tines 56 having openings 58 formed in the outer end portions thereof. The tines 56 cooperate with a threearm spacer member 60 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer end portion of bearing50 with the tines 56 engaging member 60 so as to prevent any rotational movement of the sleeve 48 and, thus, of the stubshaft 34.

The helical spring 52 is disposed within the hollow sleeve 48 while the outer diameter of the sleeve is dimensioned to provide a secure fit within bearing 50 (FIG. The knob 54 includes a hub 62 having three equispaced openings 64 and the hub 62 is secured with respect to tines 56 by pins 66 which are inserted into the aligned openings 58 and 64.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the frame is also provided with wire guide members generally designated 70 formed in upper end plate 24. A wire guide member 70 is provided for each wire spool adapted to be carried by the frame 20. The member 70 comprises an aperture 72 formed in the end plate 24 with the entrance and egress thereof in plate 24 being countersunk as at 74. Disposed perpendicularly with respect to aperture 72 is a bore 76 having a spring biased piston assembly 78 disposed therewithin. Also disposed perpendicularly with respect to aperture 72 is a threaded bore 80 having a recessed set screw 82 threadeclly engaged therewithin.

The piston assembly 78 comprises a piston 84 having a piston rod 86 which extends through a reduced bore portion 88 in end plate 24 and projects into the interior portion of the frame 10. The assembly 78 also includes a helical coil spring 90 disposed within bore 76 and which urges the piston 84 into abutting contact with the face of set screw 82 which would normally block aperture 72; however, by pulling the end of piston rod 86 the piston is moved away from the face of set screw 82 and permits the free end of wire conductor 42 to be inserted therethrough. Thereafter, the piston rod 86 is released and the free end of conductor 42 is maintained in position by the forces applied thereto by the piston 84 in conjunction with set screw 82.

The amount of force applied upon the free end of conductor 42 must not interfere with the pay out of wire from the spools 18, whereby the force is dependent upon the thickness of the conductor 42 and is adjustable by means of the set screw 82. The force is adjusted so that when the free end of wire 42 is released it is maintained in the position shown projecting through aperture 72. Similarly, the force must be small enough so that when the free end of the conductor 42 is pulled, the wire will be payed out from spool 18 easily through aperture 72.

Once the set screws 82 have been adjusted they should remain unchanged; accordingly, the end plate 24 is provided with a cover plate 92 held in position by means of screws 94.

In the operation of the apparatus 10, the pulling on the free end of wire 42 causes the paying out of wire from the spool 18 upon which the wire reel is wound. Since the wire reel has what is termed memory or memory retention, it would normally tend to rewind iself upon the spool 18 and, more particularly, the spindle 36 thereof. However, the frictional braking forces imparted to the spool ends 38 by collars 44 and 46 prevent this reverse rotational movement to thereby prevent the free ends of wire conductors 42 from rewinding themselves upon the spindle 36. It is herein to be noted that the guide member does not exert a sufficient frictional force upon wire conductor 42 to prevent the same from rewinding. The function of guide member 70 is to accessably position the free end of the wire conductor 42 at the upper end of the frame 20.

When the apparatus is used in combination with the ladder 12, as discussed hereinbefore, the frame 20 is normally mounted with the upper end thereof substantially equal with the elevation of the uppermost step of the ladder, thereby facilitating the use of the apparatus by a workman perched on the steps of the ladder.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many changes, improvements and modifications which may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools comprising a spindle having end plates secured thereto and'a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said apparatus comprising:

a frame including a pair of side rails,

spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails,

said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another,

said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members,

said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool end plates,

one of said mounting members comprising a bearing, a sleeve, and a knob,

said sleeve being at least partially disposed within said bearing and slidably supported therewithin,

said knob being secured to the outer end of said sleeve, and means positioned within said sleeve and positionally disposed between the inner end thereof and said knob for inwardly biasing said mounting member. 2. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said one of said coaxially aligned spool mounting members is capable of a predetermined axial displacement to permit of variation of the spacing between said coaxial mounting members for purposes of mounting said wire spool. 3. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said axially displaceable mounting member is biased inwardly toward said other mounting member and the biasing force thereof exerts said frictional force upon the end plate of the spool with which it abuts, and 4 said biasing force also causing a frictional force be tween said other mounting member and said other end plate. 4. A wire spoolholding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said frame includes an upper end plate, said upper end plate having at least one wire guide member secured thereto, and said guide member being operative to positionally locate the free end of said wire reel with respect to said upper end plate. 5. A wire spool holding and dispensingapparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said guide member includes an aperture formed therein and retention means, said wire extending through said aperture, and said retention means communicating with said aperture and retaining the wire within said aperture against undesired movement and for permitting the issuance of wire through said aperture upon the application of a pulling forceon the free end of said wire. 6. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said retaining means is operative to frictionallyv engage said wiredispo sed within said aperture.

7. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus accordance with claim 6, wherein said retaining means comprises a piston, and spring means, said spring means being operative to biasingly urge said piston in frictionalengagernent with said wire. 8. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring member. 9. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein I said one of said mounting members includes means to prevent rotational movement thereof. 10. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said outer end of said sleeve is provided with a plurality of tines, a spacer member secured with respect to said bearmg, said tines extended through said spacer member to prevent rotational movement of said sleeve,

means for securing the ends of said tines with respect to said knob, and said spring member being positioned between said spacer member and the inner end of said sleeve. 11. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said inner end of said sleeve has a collar fixedly secured thereto, and a stub-shaft extending outwardly of said collar and secured with respect thereto. 12. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said other of said spool mounting members comprises a collar having a stub-shaft extending outwardly thereof and secured with respect thereto. 13. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame includes a median member, a pair of spool mounting members fixedly mounted on either side of said median member, one of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a first wire spool mounted therebetween, and the other of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with the other of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a second wire spool mounted therebetween. 5 14. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein I each of said rail spool mounting members is capable of a predetermined axial displacement to permit of variation of the spacing between said coaxially aligned mounting members for purposes of mounting said wire spools therebetween. 15. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools in combination with a step ladder assembly, wherein said wire spools comprise a spindle 0 having end plates secured thereto and a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said dispensing apparatus com- I prising: I 1

a frame including a pair of side rails, spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails, Y said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another, said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members, said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool end plates, said step ladder assembly comprising a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side rails having a plurality of steps secured therebetween, said step ladder assembly having a front surface and a rear surface, and means for securing said wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus with respect to the rear surface of said step ladder assembly. 16. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said securing means comprises means for securing said step ladder side rails with the respective ones of said frame side rails.

17. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools in combination with a step ladder assembly, wherein said wire spools comprise a spindle having end plates secured thereto and a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said dispensing apparatus comprising:

a frame including a pair of side rails,

spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails,

said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another.

said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members,

said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool end plates,

said frame including a median member,

a pair of spool mounting members fixedly mounted on either side of said median member,

one of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a first wire spool mounted therebetween,

the other of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with the other of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a second wire spool mounted therebetween,

said step ladder asembly comprising a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side rails having a plurality of steps secured therebetween,

said step ladder assembly having a front surface and a rear surface, and

means for securing said wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus with respect to the rear surface of said step ladder assembly.

18. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said securing means comprises means for securing said step ladder side rails with the respective ones of said frame side rails. 

1. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools comprising a spindle having end plates secured thereto and a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said apparatus comprising: a frame including a pair of side rails, spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails, said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another, said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members, said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool end plates, one of said mounting members comprising a bearing, a sleeve, and a knob, said sleeve being at least partially disposed within said bearing and slidably supported therewithin, said knob being secured to the outer end of said sleeve, and means positioned within said sleeve and positionally disposed between the inner end thereof and said knob for inwardly biasing said mounting member.
 2. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said one of said coaxially aligned spool mounting members is capable of a predetermined axial displacement to permit of variation of the spacing between said coaxial mounting members for purposes of mounting said wire spool.
 3. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said axially displaceable mounting member is biased inwardly toward said other mounting member and the biasing force thereof exerts said frictional force upon the end plate of the spool with which it abuts, and said biasing force also causing a frictional force between said other mounting member and said other end plate.
 4. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said frame includes an upper end plate, said upper end plate having at least one wire guide member secured thereto, and said guide member being operative to positionally locate the free end of said wire reel with respect to said upper end plate.
 5. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said guide member includes an aperTure formed therein and retention means, said wire extending through said aperture, and said retention means communicating with said aperture and retaining the wire within said aperture against undesired movement and for permitting the issuance of wire through said aperture upon the application of a pulling force on the free end of said wire.
 6. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said retaining means is operative to frictionally engage said wire disposed within said aperture.
 7. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said retaining means comprises a piston, and spring means, said spring means being operative to biasingly urge said piston in frictional engagement with said wire.
 8. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring member.
 9. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said one of said mounting members includes means to prevent rotational movement thereof.
 10. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said outer end of said sleeve is provided with a plurality of tines, a spacer member secured with respect to said bearing, said tines extended through said spacer member to prevent rotational movement of said sleeve, means for securing the ends of said tines with respect to said knob, and said spring member being positioned between said spacer member and the inner end of said sleeve.
 11. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said inner end of said sleeve has a collar fixedly secured thereto, and a stub-shaft extending outwardly of said collar and secured with respect thereto.
 12. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said other of said spool mounting members comprises a collar having a stub-shaft extending outwardly thereof and secured with respect thereto.
 13. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame includes a median member, a pair of spool mounting members fixedly mounted on either side of said median member, one of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a first wire spool mounted therebetween, and the other of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with the other of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a second wire spool mounted therebetween.
 14. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein each of said rail spool mounting members is capable of a predetermined axial displacement to permit of variation of the spacing between said coaxially aligned mounting members for purposes of mounting said wire spools therebetween.
 15. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools in combination with a step ladder assembly, wherein said wire spools comprise a spindle having end plates secured thereto and a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said dispensing apparatus comprising: a frame including a pair of side rails, spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails, said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another, said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members, said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool eNd plates, said step ladder assembly comprising a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side rails having a plurality of steps secured therebetween, said step ladder assembly having a front surface and a rear surface, and means for securing said wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus with respect to the rear surface of said step ladder assembly.
 16. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said securing means comprises means for securing said step ladder side rails with the respective ones of said frame side rails.
 17. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus for wire spools in combination with a step ladder assembly, wherein said wire spools comprise a spindle having end plates secured thereto and a reel of wire wound upon said spool, said dispensing apparatus comprising: a frame including a pair of side rails, spool mounting members fixedly mounted on each of said side rails, said spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one another. said wire spool being adapted to be mounted between said coaxial aligned mounting members, said mounting members being disposed in abutting engagement with said spool end plates and exerting a frictional braking force thereupon, whereby said wire is unwindable from said spool by the exertion of a pulling force on the free end of said wire and is prevented from rewinding itself upon said spool spindle by means of the frictional braking force applied to said spool end plates, said frame including a median member, a pair of spool mounting members fixedly mounted on either side of said median member, one of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with one of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a first wire spool mounted therebetween, the other of said pair of spool mounting members being disposed in coaxial alignment with the other of said rail spool mounting members and adapted to have a second wire spool mounted therebetween, said step ladder asembly comprising a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart side rails having a plurality of steps secured therebetween, said step ladder assembly having a front surface and a rear surface, and means for securing said wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus with respect to the rear surface of said step ladder assembly.
 18. A wire spool holding and dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said securing means comprises means for securing said step ladder side rails with the respective ones of said frame side rails. 